On August 17, 2017, the Workforce Professionals Training Institute, in partnership with Manhattan Legal Services, hosted Immigrants’ Rights in the World of Work, a training that convened workforce professionals to discuss the interconnectedness of immigration, work, and well-being for immigrant job seekers in their communities, and share ways to support them in finding and retaining work. Given recent policies affecting the immigrant community and its access to gainful work opportunities, it is important and timely for workforce professionals to be informed about work options for immigrants, job quality, protections provided under labor and human rights laws, and legal implications for immigrants who are involved with the criminal justice system.
The training provided an overview of work options for immigrants, including employment and owning small businesses and cooperatives. Immigrant workers are protected by labor, human rights, and wage protection laws, and it is important for workforce professionals to know about the anti-discrimination policies that protect them as well, so that they can support job seekers throughout the hiring process and ensure that they are retained in high quality jobs.
After the training, participants were eager to share information learned about immigration and work with their teams, colleagues and friends. Training participant Brittany Reid from the LGBT Center says, “I couldn't recommend the timely workshop highly enough! The facilitator situated the history of immigration law in the United States such that it contextualized current immigration law, clearly explaining how the trajectory of these laws impacts immigrants in the world of work today. She also provided useful employment resources for immigrants seeking work that I am already incorporating while supporting my program participants. I hope for a 'Part Two'!”
WPTI will offer Immigrants’ Rights in the World of Work again on January 24, 2018. Please click here to see details for the training and to register.
This workshop was presented by Lynn Ventura, a Senior Staff Attorney at Manhattan Legal Services with over 25 years of experience in Immigration Law. Manhattan Legal Services fights poverty and seeks economic, social and racial justice for low-income borough residents through the provision of free legal representation, systemic advocacy and community education. Each year, MLS’s advocates represent and advise thousands of low income residents of Manhattan facing crises with basic needs. For more information and resources, please visit: http://www.legalservicesnyc.org/our-program/manhattan.
Immigration and employment law are complicated areas. The information contained in this post is not legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship. Please consult with an attorney for legal advice.